With Isi's cries echoing distantly down the corridor, Geric anxiously caught his father's arm. "A moment, sire. We could listen in on the Kildenreans' conversation. In the secret passageway behind the throne. Then we may, perhaps, learn the truth."

The king heaved a sigh and said grimly, "I see that you're determined to protect this wench. I had forgotten about that passageway. You've planned this – clever of you, very sly. I see no harm in learning what we may. There is war and treason at stake, to be sure."

Geric, followed by the king and the king's guard, rounded the outside of the audience hall before ducking into a low, seemingly innocuous storage closet. In the dark, they crept quietly towards a doorway hidden behind the massive tapestry on the dais, listening.

The room was silent. Geric's heartbeat thumped with anticipation. Were any of them breathing too loudly? Had their footsteps been heard? But – no, they suddenly heard Princess Anidori speak, softly, but she was clearly only a few feet away…

"Away from the door. I would rather no one heard us just now."

Geric and the king exchanged glances.

Clumping footsteps walked away from the dais toward the main doors. There was the sound of someone being dragged and Isi's cry of protest. The king grasped Geric's arm, which had suddenly jerked towards the curtain, in an iron grip. They heard Isi being cast onto the dais. A brief silence was followed by a faint noise – kissing. What? Feeling somewhat shocked, Geric heard Princess Anidori's voice – "We have won."

The voice of the leader of the Kildenrean guards spoke. "Little bird, the king sounded convinced, hmmm? Aren't you proud of our Selia for thinking of such a diverting execution for you so quickly?" A brief pause, then, "Why do you not crawl, little princess? Why do you not beg?"

So, Isi had spoken the truth!

I knew it, thought Geric. A plethora of emotions played swiftly across his face. In the midst of shock, surprise, and suspicion, he felt a sudden gladness, almost euphoria. Isi was his betrothed, he would marry her. The king and his guards looked stunned. Frozen, they listened as the traitors, unaware, talked on.

"I hear you have been hiding as a goose girl all these months," said the pretender. "A shame you had to stoop so low only to be killed now."

"Not so low," Isi responded. "Where is Yulan?"

"Where is Yulan?" the pretender repeated. "You think to surprise me? We heard of your little stunt from Ishta."

What stunt? Anxiety and worry for all the times he could have protected the helpless princess clouded his mind.

But Isi's voice answered, perhaps an attempt at defiance, but it was too soft and harmless. "Ishta… Last I saw, Ishta was bleeding on your bedroom carpets, though perhaps his body has already been found."

They heard a strangled scream. Before Geric could burst through the tapestry, they all realized it was the pretender, Selia, screaming in frustration. Then she spoke with sinister glee. "These months have been really, really wonderful for me, Crown Princess" – simply reiterating her traitorous guilt – "They truly have. I have wanted you to know that. I have always known what I wanted, since I was a little girl, and you helped me to achieve it. Thank you. And thank you for coming back. My one last wish, even when I thought you were dead in the woods, was to let you see me being you and doing it better."

Geric's hands were clenched into fists with anger. The whole Bayern court has been fooled by a cruel, bloodthirsty traitor! Geric was horrified that he had almost married such a monster.

Unaware of the king and Geric only feet away, she continued, "But unfortunately you did cause one little bother. The king is unquestioning" – Geric heard his father's teeth audibly clench, but it was unnoticed beyond the tapestry – "but my betrothed, my prince, seemed to have some doubts because of your convenient acquaintance. He seemed to resolve them there at the end" – No, I didn't, thought Geric angrily – "but I want to be sure. I spent months working to own his heart, and I don't wish to go through that process again. So, dearest, here is the plan. When they return, you will confess to the king that you made it all up and in fact are my serving girl, and in turn, I will talk him down from the crime of treason. You will live. If you like, I will even let you return to your little goose herd. Agreed?"

There was silence. Then Isi vehemently stated, "Do you know why you have such trouble persuading Geric to love you? He fell in love with me as the goose girl in my pasture months ago."

The king shot a questioning glance at Geric, but Geric barely noticed. His cheeks reddened. He knew he had been obvious, despite that awful letter. That was why he had distanced himself. And, to think, that entire time – Isi had been my betrothed!

There was a slapping sound followed by some stumbling. Assuming Isi had been struck, Geric gritted his own teeth, but was prevented from intervening by the king, who had once again grasped his arm. "Not yet," the king mouthed to Geric.

They heard the Kildenrean guard leader say, "Listen to me, little bird. "When they come back, you will say what my Princess Anidori-Kiladra tells you to."

"You will not kill me here," Isi replied, in a voice that could not mask its fear.

"No?" the brute responded. "And if I claim you went mad and attacked me? As mad as that poor white horse?"

Eyes wide, Geric finally understood why Isi had been so upset to learn that the white Kildenrean horse had gone mad and been destroyed. She was an excellent horsewoman. No doubt, Selia was a poor one.

"We had to take care of that animal of yours, of course. If you had appeared and all the world witnessed that oh-so-magical bond you had with my mount? It was not difficult. He was already half-mad from the Forest, and Ungolad knows ways of making an animal a little madder."

There was the sound of a struggle and a cry from Isi as the Kildenrean guard said, "Was I right? Is this the spot where I tickled you?"

Again, the king restrained Geric.

"She cries for the horse," he said in a hushed tone.

Geric wasn't so sure, but prepared himself to enter at the next provocation, whether or not the king intervened. He stationed himself directly against the tapestry, not caring if the room's traitorous occupants saw it ripple.

"I'm telling you again," the guard continued. "You will agree with your new mistress or you will die here."

"Enough, enough, my love," Selia interrupted. "She will not speak. Can you not see that she's in love with the prince?"

Geric's heart swelled.

"But, Talone," worried the guard.

"He does not concern me," Selia responded. "I don't know how he escaped our notice, but he can't have proof beyond scars and a questionable testimony. It is the prince's doubt that troubles me."

Yes, but it's too late for that, thought Geric.

"Ungolad, I want you to cut me. Release her and cut me. I will scream, we will claim she attacked me, and the worst will be over."

"Selia, love, I can't cut you." Strangely, the fierce man sounded fearful. "I can't cut your skin."

"I'll do it," another voice interjected.

"Shut it, you piece of meat," growled Ungolad. "You think I'd let you touch her? All right, I will, if we can kill her first. Then we can claim she attacked, and I was defending you."

Geric was pushing through the tapestry before Ungolad finished speaking. Furiously struggling with the heavy folds, he shouted, "Stop! Don't touch her!" At last, he found an edge and yanked it up. Bursting into the room, he heard the scuffled footsteps of the king and the king's guards close behind him. He glanced quickly around the room until his eyes found Isi with a hand over her mouth and a knife at her throat. Enraged, he drew his sword and ran towards her.

"Get back!" yelled the guard with the knife. He twisted the dagger against her throat.

Geric stopped, but he did not sheathe his sword. Everyone drew their swords.

"Don't be fools," Geric insisted. "You hurt her and your lives are forfeit."